Article

Southampton closing in on Pelle deal - Koeman

New Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has revealed they are hopeful of sealing a deal for Feyenoord's Graziano Pelle in the coming days.

Southampton had been linked with a move for the 28-year-old forward but Koeman's comments – in his first press conference as the club's new coach – suggest the transfer is close to being finalised.

"The situation about Pelle…it will be near to have another one in the team," Koeman said on Friday.

"It's close. But it's still not signed. But it's coming close.

"We hope maybe this weekend to have him as the second new player of Southampton."

Koeman knows all about Pelle, having coached him at former club Feyenoord, where he has been prolific since joining from Parma, initially on loan, in 2012.

Pelle – who has scored 55 goals in 66 appearances in all competitions for Feyenoord – would be Southampton's second significant signing of the close-season, following the arrival of Dusan Tadic from Twente.

Southampton have already sold England trio Luke Shaw, Adam Lallana and Rickie Lambert since the season ended and defenders Dejan Lovren and Morgan Schneiderlin have both linked with moves away.

But while Koeman revealed there had been no bids for Schneiderlin, Lovren's situation is different after previously claiming he was already thinking about a move to Liverpool.

Koeman was unhappy with his public comments but added that he wants to keep him, and expects him at training on Sunday.

"We like to keep all that stuff in the club and not in the press. That was not a good thing of his side," he added.

"I spoke two times to Dejan. He was very clear about his situation. I said, 'okay, I am the new manager, I like to keep all the players'.

"I like to keep Dejan in the team because he is an important player in an important position at the team. But we have to do what is best for the club. He has a contract. He has to come back on Sunday.

"The last time that I spoke to Dejan it was four or five days ago. He said it was a difficult situation. He will have another talk to the club, another talk to the agent, but he now he is a player for Southampton and he has to come back."

Koeman, who said he had a "very positive" feeling about Southampton after meeting with executive director Les Reed for the first time, also insisted that they were not a selling club, despite the three high-profile departures.

"The first meeting with Les Reed was open. I knew at that moment that Rickie Lambert, Lallana, Shaw [would go]…but after that we said, 'okay, we are not a selling club'," he continued.

"We like to keep the rest of the players and even we like to bring players in.

"We will continue with the philosophy of the Southampton football club. That means we like to continue with the young players. We want to go forward.

"I'm a manager who likes to see my team playing good football. They did a great season last year. I am looking forward."